10 A Late Night Tradition (2/2)
”To be honest, our views on your marriage shouldn't mean Jack,” Malcolm said to his brother, ”Do you honestly think how you like your eggs is going to change anything? I'm not that kind of guy and I like to think being a professor keeps me up to speed on the times as they change. I kind of like not being the last person to get the social memo for a change.”
”I hope you'd like to meet him.” David then said.
”Of course I would,” Malcolm replied, ”You just got to hit me up with a date before I fly out for the UK.”
”What's going on other there?” David asked.
”Lectures and lots of them,” Malcolm answered, ”With some stiff ass Brits at the esteemed campus of Oxford.”
”Wonderful,” David said, ”Now your influence is spreading to Europe.”
”Then the world.” Malcolm finished for him.
The two of them laughed but it wasn't long before someone came down the stairs. It was Artie, and the old man was standing there in his robe giving the two men the exact same stern look he always gave them whenever they were caught eating leftovers in the middle of the night.
”Seriously?” Artie started, ”You're still doing this?”
”Why not?” Malcolm asked, ”This food isn't going eat itself. Wasting food is a terrible sin. There are starving kids in Africa you know...”
”Don't be a smart ass,” Artie replied as he knew Malcolm was mocking something that his wife used to tell the kids whenever they wouldn't eat food at the table. ”I was saving that for tomorrow.”
”Give me a break,” David said as he laughed.
”I got news for you old man,” Malcolm said as he turned to face his father, ”The one thing that sucks more to a nine year old than eating mashed potatoes and overcooked turkey is eating it again the next day for lunch. We're doing our duty as good uncles to save those young souls up there the experience.”
”So what are we going to eat tomorrow?” Artie's asked.
Malcolm sighed, ”The snow is slowing down. We'll go to Bertha's diner for brunch and I'll buy for everyone.”
”Can you afford that?” Artie asked.
David covered his mouth to prevent food from flying out of his mouth as he roared with laughter.
”What?” Artie said as he didn't get the joke.
”Malcolm has more money than Dick.” David said as he kept chuckling.
”He does?” Artie said, somewhat surprised.
”I could buy Bertha's diner if I wanted to and it wouldn't even dent what I have stashed in my chequing account.” Malcolm confirmed, ”So we'll be good.”
”Well then,” Artie said as he turned the lights a tiny bit brighter. ”I'll leave you gentlemen to it then.”
Malcolm watched him leave and then looked back to his brother. ”He truly has no clue how successful we all are, does he?”
”Not one,” David concurred, ”Pass the coleslaw.”